Reacting To The Smile.. | Friend of a Friend

This is my first reaction to The Smile! Very interesting song.
Thanks for all the likes, comments and subs! It means so much to us.

[@aprilhoh1898]

Strings are by Jonny Greenwood. He has also scored several movies including There Will Be Blood.

[@aprilhoh1898]

Radiohead will always be my spirit band, but The Smile is a very cool musical experience. I highly recommend Bending Hectic as I think it is a masterpiece. I love that you and your daughter get to do this together.

[@gregorygruzdov-sk8gm]

Also teleharmonic

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks!

[@danwebb1756]

I saw them 3rd row in Charleston last summer. It was on the same level as Radiohead that I have seen live as well. Anything with Thom and Johnny will not disappoint.

[@DJMAERZ]

This album has been playing 4 or 5 times a week since it came out. Love it more and more each time!!!

[@ErolReacts]

Eager to hear the whole album! Thanks!

[@davidlukey5189]

This song/video is a brilliant critique of government corruption during Covid. All the big money contracts handed to a friend of a friend, just loose change, all while destroying lives with school and business closures. The kids here are rolling their eyes in the same way we all just rolled our eyes at the largest crime committed against the public in living memory.

[@nirodha60]

Bending Hectic should be on your list, an 8 minute masterpiece that takes you on an incredible sonic journey!

[@asaila3024]

Huge yes

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks will check it out

[@actuallythepie]

agreed

[@danwebb1756]

Bending Hectic is an absolute masterpiece.

[@Wanderersea]

An absolute monster of a song. Beautiful and cinematic and very dark.

[@sagittated]

Jonny Greenwood said that before Radiohead took off and he became a rock star that he assumed he would be a second row viola in a mediocre symphony somewhere. Yes, their textbook humility, but also it's Jonny who does the string arrangements. He plays every instrument under the Sun, but I think his favorite instrument to play is a 68 piece orchestra.

[@ErolReacts]

Very talented guy. Thanks for the insight!

[@tophermittens1124]

Thom + Jonny G = PFM (pure f’ing magic)

[@ErolReacts]

Nice. Thanks!

[@DylanCuthbert]

This whole album is a true masterpiece, I love the lyrics “and they’re all smiling, I guess I’ll stay, at least ‘til the disappointed have eaten themselves away”

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks! Can't wait to check out more!

[@rohnnyjotten3985]

Love Radiohead and The Smile, so I'm loving these reactions, especially from a musician. Looking forward to more, to see the journey these 2 bands will send you on. Thom and Jonny are geniuses. r.e The Beatles vibe, it was recorded at Abbey Road ! 😀

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks!

[@pc239]

"Buried from the waist down, stop looking over our shoulders" to me is a reference to zoom meetings, where you are only partly connecting to others, and there's a tendency to look at each other's background/living space. The next line about stepping out onto balconies to talk and catch a piece of sun, Thom has said that refers to a phenomenon he encountered under lockdown in Italy, where people would interact in their courtyards without actually getting together. Both Smile albums have strong post-Covid themes about human interaction.

[@ErolReacts]

Oh wow. Definitly makes sense. Thanks for the insight!

[@Ashtoni001]

To continue on the Covid narrative… I’d just like that the lines “All of that money, where did it go? Where did it go? In somebody's pocket, a friend of a friend. All the loose change, loose change” is referring to the UK Conservative government handed out contracts worth hundreds of millions for PPE during the pandemic to their mates. The equipment turned out to be inadequate and rather than reclaiming the money, they’ve just written it off.

[@richardbaxter762]

I saw The Smile in London recently. It was such a different experience to Radiohead gigs. More relaxed, more fun. It’s almost like Thom and Jonny are done with the big fame, playing all the ‘hits’ to huge stadiums vibe and are just exploring, jamming, having a cool time.

[@ErolReacts]

Thats the vibe I get too!

[@danwebb1756]

They still have stadium worthy moments live though.

[@AngryWombat8]

Great song, got to listen to Bending Hectic

[@chefboyrg7356]

I love the Smile and saw them in LA a couple years ago. I’ve never seen this video before and it had me cracking up laughing so hard to see the children’s reaction. Thanks for the video,. I just discovered and am glad I did.

[@Lostrelic]

They recorded this song in the same studio as the Beatles did for this album.

[@ErolReacts]

Oh wow. Very cool. Seems like some of the vibe was definitely captured on the song! Thank

[@ARadioheadDeepDive]

The cool thing about this song for me is how the drums are used. The time signature is generally in a 5/4 3-3-2-2 8th note subdivision, or 2 dotted quarters and 2 quarters, but during the quick-quick section it has a triplet swing, making it feel like it's speeding up even more. So it actually feels like 3 slow, 3 slow, 3 fast, 3 fast. Sometimes the triplet swing even carries over to the dotted quarter for a single swung 8th note, but never carries through as that would divide the dotted quarter it into 4.5 swung 8th notes. This whole idea really makes it feel like its slowing down during the "buried from the waist down" prechorus because that section is just 6 straight dotted quarters per bar. Really weird stuff.

[@Brainman365]

Great explanation. Thanks. I love this track and managed to see them live performing it. The time signature always puzzled me.

[@michaelstirling3118]

We’re enjoying your reactions Erol! Keep them coming. Seems like a cool dad & daughter thing to do. Radiohead is everyone’s all time favourite band… so many different sounds, vibes, moods… and The Smile is the latest incarnation of them. I suspect you’ll love “Skrting on the Surface” from their first album A Light For Attracting Attention. -Mike in Australia

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks, Mike... Will keep 'em coming!

[@lindaschuller7961]

This is so great! Wishing you many more episodes.

[@ErolReacts]

Thank you!

[@_CoasterNinja]

I think The Smile records are amazing. Thom and Jonny have been doing such amazing work the last few years. I think they’re both in another golden age of songwriting. Wall Of Eyes is more cohesive compared to A Light For Attracting Attention, but I like a lot of the songs more on the latter. Jonny’s string arrangements really stand out on both records. Radiohead/ The Smile have really beautifully incorporated orchestration into their music for so many years now, it’s a signature element of their music.

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks. Its really great stuff. I'm enjoying this discovery

[@philnolan9903]

The video is incredible , the song equally as much

[@themadcow71]

I love your reactions so thank you! And so happy you're getting to be exposed to some of the greatest musicians of my lifetime.

[@ErolReacts]

You're welcome!

[@dav1968]

Erol, I like hearing that you intend on taking your time on your discovery journey. You know as well as anyone, art takes time and attention to be appreciated. Have fun along the way!

[@paolopenamartin6239]

Perfect album

[@richardadesmond]

That's a great perception, the Beatles and Kinks reference. Never thought of that till you said it, nice. Thanks, Erol. Excited for more...hurry, 'cause I can't wait! lol. You have a background in composing, arranging, scoring, right? If so, I would LOVE to see you react to Jonny's film compositions: There Will be Blood, The Master, Phantom Thread. Also Thom's, with Susperia. There are more.

[@ErolReacts]

That sound awfully tempting! I will! Thanks

[@Sutterbombz]

Jonny Greenwood is the most likely the string composer but I bet Thom gets involved. Jonny is a brilliant composer and scored There Will Be Blood as well as most of Paul Thomas Anderson Films. My favorite being Phantom Thread. The Smile is beautiful for sure. But Radiohead's sound hold a special place in our hearts.

[@dav1968]

Erol, if you explore Jonny Greenwood’s classical work you will not be sorry. Second Phantom Thread and There Will Be Blood mentions.

[@soundstation8343]

The arregment is by Jonny Greenwood :) Cool reaction, music is just amazing 🫂😎

[@ErolReacts]

Thank you!

[@stephencalvird7276]

Great reaction my brother, easily subscribed. Would love for you to check out more Radiohead and or The Smile.

[@LuckykidA]

Jonny is likely to credit for the strings on this one but Thom also scores films and could probably pull off similar arrangements. These guys are just something else. Tom Skinner is no slouch (a bit of an unsung hero), but only because he is playing with two savants. Hopefully coming up soon..."HOW TO DISAPPEAR COMPLETELY" or "WHERE I END AND YOU BEGIN" both by Radiohead.

[@ErolReacts]

All on the list . Thanks!

[@mrtsbe1]

Awesome song!

[@SaoLorenco]

I really enjoy your take and analysis on these songs. Really informed and deep insight, but also open minded and willing to be surprised. The best combination of factors to really appreciate this music.

[@ErolReacts]

Thank you! I'm glad you're liking it!

[@GIBKEL]

Another great record. I’m spoiled.

[@ErolReacts]

Good stuff!

[@rossmckenzie9985]

Really enjoying your reaction videos, mate. Your musical background allows for some great insights. Look forward to what’s to come. I have too many suggestions so I’ll just shut up and listen 🙃

[@ErolReacts]

Haha! Thanks!

[@richardctaylor79]

This song is Thom Yorke doing Sgt Peppers....

[@ErolReacts]

Very cool info.

[@SilentInferno]

Glad you mentioned “A Day in the Life” because I’ve thought that since the very first time I heard this. My wife told me she didn’t really hear it and I thought she was nuts 😂. Great track.

[@ErolReacts]

😂

[@lorcanfeely6371]

Fantastic! 👏

[@Mr.G.Williams]

I'm really enjoying your videos. Just facial reactions to all the interesting parts and harmonic shifts and melodies (especially the Radiohead videos so far). It's because it's from a musicians point of view and I can relate to the reasons that you are smiling.

[@ErolReacts]

Can you see me smiling now? lol Thanks!

[@_CoasterNinja]

And thanks for another thoughtful reaction!

[@ErolReacts]

Thank you!

[@actuallythepie]

love you guys! keep it up

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks you!

[@jefflibby4784]

The kinks song is actually titled, Waterloo Sunset.

[@ErolReacts]

Yes, I realized that after I listened back. But there is a reference to Waterloo Station in the song so I figured I’d leave it.. good catch, thanks!

[@AyyyGabagool]

hell yeah!

[@ErolReacts]

Great tune Thanks!

[@Neorigg]

i hear the beatles and bowie personally

[@ErolReacts]

Good call! Thanks

[@deadmessengers]

This song was written about the pandemic lockdowns.

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks for the insight! Much appreciated!

[@Mehwei]

First heard this song live and instantly loved it. I can hear the kinks influence now that you said that, very cool. Just actually watched a video of Davies performing Waterloo in 2012. He dedicated it to Peter Quaife then after he played Days and teared up! It made me cry a little too, very sweet. And Davies sounded great, here’s the clip if you are interested kzbin.info/www/bejne/pGfLfoqDlN-KbZIsi=QYGg0WGtg9DbKE-h

[@ErolReacts]

Thanks. Will check it out!

[@user-pf8cu1oc2c]

Thanks Erol, good to see you listening to the best band in the world : try this one : RADIOHEAD : 2 + 2 = 5

[@ErolReacts]

Will do. Thanks!

[@user-pf8cu1oc2c]

@@ErolReacts Another sublime song : Radiohead : The Daily Mail, live version from the basement, have a nice day Erol :)

[@runningsuperska]

Where did all that PPE money go?

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

Great song from what is so far the best popular music album of 2024, but I must go against fan and critic consensus which suggest that this recent album is an improvement over The Smile’s first album. Perhaps Wall of Eyes is the more cohesive, but A Light for Attracting Attention is far more bold in its experimentation and has tracks that are of the utmost intensity, an intensity not found on this album or anywhere in recent popular music. I suppose the half-hearted approval of A Light for Attracting Attention is a reflection of Radiohead fans’ fears that RH might no longer be a going concern, in part, because The Smile’s ALFAA by The Smile was just so good.

[@ErolReacts]

Such a cool band. I'm enjoying them all!

[@youmothershouldknow4905]

@@ErolReacts Their music remains interesting and fascinating regardless of how many times one has heard it. It’s kind of like great movies and literature where joy derived from exposure to such works hardly diminishes regardless of the extent of repeated interaction with such works.

[@danwebb1756]

I agree completely. The first album is mind blowing.